PLAID Cymru’s Steffan Lewis, the Welsh Assembly’s youngest member, has died aged 34, having been diagnosed with bowel cancer last year, it has been has announced.

And devastated leader Adam Price has said his party had lost it’s “very brightest star”. Meanwhile warm tributes have also been paid by opposition politicians. He died in hospital in Ystrad Mynach, Caerphilly, and is survived by his wife, Shona, and three-year-old son, Celyn.

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Mr Lewis, the youngest member elected in the 2016 Assembly election, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in December 2017.

In a tribute, his family said he "fought his disease with courage, the same courage and determination that he applied to his politics" and continued to serve even when "he was in great pain and discomfort".

Their statement said: ”To lose Steff is the greatest possible blow to our family and we know that there are people throughout Wales who share our sense of loss.

"Steff inspired us every day. He was our rock, he was our anchor and most certainly, our hero.

Mr Lewis was the youngest Welsh Assembly member (Image: GETTY)

He was our rock, he was our anchor and most certainly, our hero

Family statement

“Above all Steffan was a loving husband, father, son and brother."

The family vowed to ensure his "legacy will live on forever", adding: "Wales will not forget his contribution and his determination to make a difference to people's lives."

Mr Price said it was clear Mr Lewis was someone who would have a big impact on Welsh life when he first addressed a party conference aged just 14.

He added: "Steffan was beloved by his friends in Plaid Cymru and we are in a state of shock and grief at losing our very brightest star."

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"He will be remembered as a politician of rare talent who achieved an incredible amount during his time in elected office, which has been cut short in such harrowing circumstances.

"His powers of reasoning and intellect were matched only by his capacity for compassion - even while suffering illness, Steffan persisted in prioritising the welfare of other people by speaking openly about his difficult experiences while all the time continuing to work on behalf of his nation and constituents.

"I cannot begin to express our sense of loss and how much we will miss having Steffan in our lives."

First Minister of Wales, Labour’s Mark Drakeford, said: "I would like to express my own deep and personal sorrow at the loss of Steffan Lewis AM, one of the most decent and able politicians of his generation.

“My thoughts and sympathies are with his wife Shona and young son Celyn at this incredibly difficult time."